Research Officer

Adelaide University Careers; Roseworthy; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Adelaide’s Mycoplasma Research Group is seeking a Research Officer to contribute to an industry-funded project developing next-generation vaccines against mycoplasmas in pigs and sheep. The role combines lab-based investigations with animal research, focusing on culture, diagnostics and immunology.

You will work in PC2 facilities, perform bacterial isolation, cell culture, PCR/qPCR, ELISA and data management, and support translation towards scale-up and potential

Qualifications

• Experience in cell culture, molecular biology and infectious disease research.
• Demonstrated skills in bioinformatics and PC2 facilities.
• Experience coordinating data collection and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory and animal-based research on vaccines and diagnostics.
• Bacterial isolation, cell culture maintenance, PCR/qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction, ELISA and Western blotting.
• Molecular diagnostic development, data management and bioinformatics analyses.
• Support pig and sheep vaccination trials in PC2 facilities with ethical compliance.

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Infectious disease

PCR/qPCR

DNA/RNA extraction

ELISA

Western blotting

Animal handling

Job description

• Based in School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Science, Roseworthy Campus
• Full-time, 12-month fixed term contract
• Salary: $88,989 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Role Summary

Play an important role in delivering innovative infectious disease research, contributing to laboratory-based investigations, molecular diagnostics and animal vaccination trials.

Work that matters

The Mycoplasma Research Group at Adelaide University is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Officer to contribute to an innovative, industry-funded research project focused on developing next-generation vaccines against fastidious mycoplasmas, including Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep.

Building on novel, patented mycoplasma culture technology, the project aims to improve bacterial cultivation, enhance antigen production and develop more effective vaccines using Australian field isolates. The research will support the scale-up of vaccine production and progress towards commercialisation.

The successful applicant will undertake a combination of laboratory and animal-based research, with a particular focus on cell culture technologies, mycoplasma cultivation, molecular biology, microbiology and immunological techniques. Key responsibilities will include bacterial isolation and characterisation, cell culture maintenance, PCR/qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction, ELISA, Western blotting, molecular diagnostic development, bioinformatics analysis and research data management. The role will also involve working within PC2 infectious disease laboratories and supporting pig and sheep vaccination trials, including animal handling, biological sample collection and assessment of immune responses, in accordance with approved animal ethics and biosafety requirements.

Applicants should have strong practical experience in cell culture, molecular biology and infectious disease research, together with demonstrated skills in bioinformatics and working within PC2 infectious disease facilities. Experience with mycoplasmas and experimental research involving pigs and sheep will be highly regarded.

The team

Based within the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, this position reports to an Associate Professor Farhid Hemmatzadeh, and works as part of a multidisciplinary research team. You will collaborate with academic staff, students and external research partners, providing specialist technical expertise and supporting research projects, postgraduate training and scientific publications.

Visit the AU website to learn more about School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

Our people

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

You will join a collaborative and research-focused environment, working alongside academic staff, researchers and students across a range of disciplines. The role offers variety, combining hands‑on laboratory research with animal‑based research activities and opportunities to contribute to new research methods, scientific publications and postgraduate research training.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU.

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Proven ability in providing supporting research projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outcomes and adherence to project objectives
• Demonstrated skills in bioinformatics and working in PC2 infectious diseases facilities
• Experience managing laboratory and field-based experiments
• Experience coordinating data collection and analysis
• Proven ability to collaborate with academic teams and students, offering technical support to facilitate research activities and enhance learning outcomes
• Experience preparing research reports and documentation

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University, Tirkangkaku is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Submit your application by 11:30pm Monday 7 December 2026

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